The Cash Store in Texas - in default & getting calls!

I am not sure how much they use the courts in TX, but I can assure you that they are very aggresssive in the courts in other states.

The Cash Store is registered as a CSO in TX. You need to ask them for an extended payment plan.

Do I call Cottonwood to ask for the EPP? Can I do that, since the loan is already in default and with a collection agency?

The collection agent would not work with me at all. Demanded the payment in full.

Yes, ask for the EPP from the storefront. They will come up with one. And ask them to take back the loan from the CA since you are interested to pay back the amount.

I called both Cottonwood Financial and the storefront. Both instructed me to call the CA as that was who now handled the loan. both people at Cottonwood & store front were very nice, but basically said it was out of their hands and I had to talk to the CA. So it looks like I am going to get nowhere with this. Funny thing is that Cottonwood told me they had "just" sent my account over and the CA probably didn't even have it yet, but when the CA called me they were demanding payment in full TODAY or I would be sued and how this was my last chance. LOL

Did you ask Cottonwood Financial about the name of the CA? A legitimate CA will never call you and directly threaten you to sue you. Can you tell me what did they ask your coworkers and supervisors? As per FDCPA, they can contact people who are known to you and ask about your whereabouts without telling them about the debt. If they have done it, they have broken the FDCPA rules. I think, you should send them a DV letter.

Have you ever received a dunning letter (letter of collection) via the mail from this collection agency? They are required to send you a letter of collection in the mail within 5 days of their first contact with you, that is a federal law (FDCPA), tell them that if they call again. Never ever admit to owing a debt to a voice on the phone, demand the proper documentation FIRST.

No, no "dunning" letter or any other contact from the CA other than the harassing phone calls at my office. I asked for debt validation and they refused.

I don't have a problem paying my debt and what I owe, but these people are seriously sketchy.

I'm not sure exactly what was said to my coworkers. I just know they called me here at work and got my voicemail. Did not leave a message, called back immediately and asked for my supervisor. The receptionist caught it and put the call to me. I asked, "Was there a particular reason you requested my supervisor?" and the agent told me, "This is a very important matter and I had to make sure you received the message." I reminded him I had voicemail at my office and my cell phone, and that I could not take calls at work. They said they would remove my work # from their system and only call my cell, yet they keep calling here. They have not tried calling my cell phone one single time, I know because I have caller ID and the phone is on 24/7. My understanding was that CAs had to attempt you at home before calling your office.

When I called Cottonwood, they did tell me that Alliance Asset was the CA, and gave me their phone #, so they are the agency that is supposed to be collecting on this.

"My understanding was that CAs had to attempt you at home before calling your office."

As per the FDCPA, the debt collector should stop calling to your work place, if you have told them so. So, I think Alliance Asset has violated Federal laws (FDCPA). The next time they call you, tell them that you will not co-operate with them if they don't send the collection letter via mail. After receiving the collection letter, you can dispute the debt within 30 days.

They called again this morning at my office. I again told them I could not receive calls at work and asked if they had my cell phone #, they said they did, and they would "restrict my work number." (Same thing they said last time.) I asked for verification and they would not do it, insisted I pay today. I told them I could not pay until Friday at the earliest and the guy told me, "your account probably will not be here on Friday, and who knows how much the balance will escalate then. Good luck."

Oh and again, not one single attempt by them on my cell # - just the calls at work after they have been asked not to contact me here.

It seems that this CA has a habit of breaking FDCPA laws. File against them immediately with the FTC and BBB. And don't tell that you'll pay them, don't recognize the debt until you are given a written collection letter.

They will threaten left and right and call your references saying they are passing judgment but they will not sue. If you call the debt collector back they will even tell you the person working your case is with the lawyer and cannot call you back. Don't sweat it :) Tell them to stop calling and then send them a letter to cease and desists. If that does work tell them you are going to sue them for violating the Fair Debt Collection Act. Document everything they do because you can turn around and sue them for a lot more than what they are after. In most cases you can find a lawyer to work on contingency.:D